1996 Corvette Overview
This press release from the GM Media Archives is an overview of the 1996 Corvette.
Note: All information and pictures on this page are courtesy of GM Media Archives. Rev. 09/25/1995
PRODUCT OVERVIEW:
The venerable Corvette is a legendary, high-performance car that appeals to sports car enthusiasts who want state-of-the-art technology, stylish appearance and heart-pounding performance. In its 43rd year of production, the Chevrolet Corvette provides prestige, style, power and handling at a much lower price than comparable European sports cars.
NEW FOR 1996:
* New, high-performance 5.7-litre LT4 V8 engine (available only with
6- speed manual transmission) produces an additional 30 horsepower than
the 5.7-litre LT1 V8 (300 -vs- 330 hp).
* Corvette ZR-1 model discontinued
* Special Corvette Grand Sport Edition (Admiral Blue exterior with white
centre stripe and red hash marks on left front fender; ZR-1 black wheels;
red/black interior; blackened rotors and calipers; chrome front/rear emblems;
wheel flares; body-coloured door handles; and Grand Sport embroidery on
seats); available on coupe or convertible NOTE : AVAILABILITY OF GRAND
SPORT IN CANADA TO BE DETERMINED.
* Special Corvette Collector Edition (features Sebring Silver exterior;
ZR-1-style wheels; blackened rotors and calipers; red, black or gray interior
with Collector Edition embroidery on seats; body-coloured door handles);
available on coupe or convertible
* Selective Real Time Damping available for improved comfort and control
* One new exterior colour
 |
MODELS: Corvette (2-door sports coupe) Corvette (2-door convertible)
VEHICLE CLASS: Sporty
ASSEMBLY LOCATION: Bowling Green, Kentucky
CUSTOMER PROFILE:
Corvette appeals to sophisticated, upscale enthusiast buyers. About 90 percent are white-collar, professional males. Average age is just under 40 years. These customers know cars, and their top priority is Corvette's fun-to-drive character.
PRODUCT MILESTONES:
1953 Corvette debuts
1957 Factory-installed fuel injection
1963 Split-window coupe debuts
1965 Disc brakes introduced
1968 Major restyling with removable roof panels and pop-up headlamps
1970 "LT-1" engine option available
1971 First optional "ZR-1" package available
1975 Convertible dropped from lineup; catalytic converter added
1978 Fastback body style introduced
1982 First hatchback debuts; Crossfire Injection system introduced
1984 All-new coupe introduced
1985 5.7-litre Tuned Port Injected V8 engine debuts
1986 Convertible returns to lineup; ABS and PASS-Key anti-theft systems
introduced
1988 17-inch wheels and tires added as optional equipment
1989 ZF 6-speed manual transmission and Selective Ride Control added
1990 New interior; driver-side air bag added; ZR-1 option introduced with
multi-valve, 375-hp 5.7L V8
1991 Convex rear fascia added to all models
1992 Second-generation, 300-hp 5.7L V8 ("LT1") and Bosch ABS/ASR
combination anti-lock brake and traction control strategy debut; 1- millionth
Corvette produced
1993 ZR-1 output increased to 405 horsepower; passive keyless entry introduced;
40th Anniversary model produced
1994 Passenger-side air bag added; redesigned interior; revised LT1 V8
receives sequential fuel injection, raising horsepower to 300
1995 Bosch ABS V (TM) debuts; heavy-duty brakes become standard
1996 ZR-1 discontinued; 330-hp 5.7L "LT4" V8 engine debuts;
special Grand Sport and Collector Edition packages available on coupe
and convertible models; selective real time damping suspension available
| EXTERIOR FEATURES | COUPE | CONVERTIBLE |
|---|---|---|
| Antenna Power | S | S |
| Collectors Edition Package includes Sebring Silver exterior colour; 5-spoke aluminum wheels; chrome emblems; perforated leather sport seats w/ Collectors Edition embroidery -- Z15 option code | O | O |
| Grand Sport Package requires LT4 V8 and 6-speed manual transmission (includes white striping and red hash marks; chrome emblems; and 5-spoke aluminum, black ZR-1 wheels) -- Z16 option code O O Lighting Cornering lamps & under-hood courtesy | S | S |
| Mirrors Heated, electric, remote control, left and right | S | S |
| Roof Full-folding convertible roof | NA | S |
| Roof Panels Single, removable body-colour | S | O |
| Transparent, removable (requires blue or bronze tint); not available w/Grand Sport Edition | O | NA |
| Dual, includes standard body-colour removable hatch roof and transparent roof panels; not available w/Grand Sport Edition | O | NA |
| Removable body color with glass rear window hardtop and electric defroster | NA | O |
| Wheels: Front - 17" x 8.5" aluminum styled Rear - 17" x 9.5" aluminum styled |
S S |
S S |
| S - Standard Equipment. O - Optional Equipment. NA - Not available. | ||
| INTERIOR FEATURES | COUPE | CONVERTIBLE |
|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioning: Manual: Automatic |
S O |
S O |
| Cargo Cover Roller-shade | S | NA |
| Console Coin-tray, cassette and CD storage, locking lighted storage compartment and integral armrest | S | S |
| Cruise Control Cruise control | S | S |
| Defogger Rear window, electric | S | S |
| Glass Solar ray, tinted | S | S |
| Keyless Entry Passive remote keyless entry system (includes remote hatch release on coupe and audible alarm) | S | S |
| Keyless Entry Remote, second transmitter | O | O |
| Instrumentation Electronic liquid crystal with white analogue and digital display and low oil level indicator w/switchable English/Metric readouts | S | S |
| Mirrors Illuminated driver and passenger visor | S | S |
| Day/night inside rearview w/integral map lamps | S | S |
| Power Door locks Windows (driver side express down) |
S S |
S S |
| Radio AM/FM stereo, seek/scan, auto reverse stereo cassette, clock and extended range 4-speaker system | S | S |
| Delco Bose, AM/FM stereo, seek/scan, clock, auto reverse music search stereo cassette, with dual front and dual rear Bose speakers | O | O |
| Delco Bose, AM/FM stereo, seek/scan, clock, auto reverse music search stereo cassette, compact disc with 6 speaker system | O | O |
| Scotchguard (TM) Floor covering | S | S |
| Seat Adjuster 6-way, power, driver side | S | S |
| Seats Reclining buckets w/leather seating surface | S | S |
| Adjustable sport bucket seats w/ leather seating surface, power lumbar and power side bolsters | O | O |
| Power passenger seat, 6-way adjustable | O | O |
| Steering Wheel Sport, leather wrapped, tilt column | S | S |
| Tire Pressure Warning Low tire pressure warning system (included w/extended mobility tires) | O | O |
| Wipers Variable intermittent | S | S |
| S - Standard Equipment. O - Optional Equipment. NA - Not available. | ||
| POWER TEAMS/CHASSIS/MECHANICAL | COUPE | CONVERTIBLE |
|---|---|---|
| Axle Special performance (3.07 ratio); not available w/6-speed manual transmission | O | O |
| Brakes Heavy-duty power front/rear disc w/anti-lock (ABS) | S | S |
| Damping (Real Time) Selective real time damping; features driver-adjustable ride control | O | O |
| Engines 5.7-litre LT1 V8 SFI (300-hp) | S | S |
| 5.7-litre LT4 V8 SFI (330-hp) | O | O |
| Performance Handling Package Features driver-adjustable, performance-oriented package for the Gymkhana/Autocross enthusiast; (includes 17" x 9.5" aluminum styled wheels; P275/40ZR17 tires; sport suspension ride & handling; 3.07 axle ratio w/automatic transmission | O | NA |
| Heater Engine block | S | S |
| Steering Power rack & pinion | S | S |
| Suspension Fully independent w/transverse front and rear springs | S | S |
| Tires Front-P255/45ZR17-Goodyear Eagle GS-C Rear-P285/40ZR17-Goodyear Eagle GS-C |
S S |
S S |
| Extended mobility ("Run Flat") tires can run flat at zero tire pressure and remain on rim while cornering; fits on standard Corvette rim and does not look flat while at zero psi | O | O |
| Transmissions: 4-speed automatic w/overdrive (only w/LT1 V8 engine; 6-speed manual transmission not available w/LT1 V8) 6-speed manual w/overdrive (only w/optional LT4 V8 engine; automatic transmission not available w/LT4 V8) | S O |
S O |
| S - Standard Equipment. O - Optional Equipment. NA - Not available. | ||
| SAFETY/SECURITY | COUPE | CONVERTIBLE |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags Driver and passenger | S | S |
| Anti-Lock Brakes 4-wheel | S | S |
| Daytime Lights Daytime running lamps w/automatic light control | S | S |
| Fog Lamps Halogen | S | S |
| Keyless Entry Passive keyless entry system w/remote hatch release(coupe only) and audible alarm | S | S |
| PASS-Key II Theft-deterrent system | S | S |
| Traction Control (ASR) | S | S |
| S - Standard Equipment. O - Optional Equipment. NA - Not available. | ||
| TECHNICAL PRODUCT INFORMATION | |
|---|---|
| FRAME | Integral body-frame (Birdcage) |
| BODY MATERIAL | Polymer composites (fiberglass) |
| SUSPENSION | Front Independent, aluminum parallel short/long arm, transverse
leaf spring, stabilizer bar Rear Independent, 5-link with transverse monoleaf spring, steel tie rods, stabilizer bar |
| BRAKES | Power-assisted, heavy-duty vented, 4-wheel disc Bosch II anti-lock |
| STEERING | Rack-and-pinion, power-assisted |
| WHEELS | COUPE/CONVERTIBLE 17" x 8.5" cast-aluminum (Front) 17" x 9.5" cast-aluminum (Rear) |
| TIRES | P255/45ZR17 Goodyear Eagle GS-C (Front) P285/40ZR17 Goodyear Eagle GS-C (Rear) |
| LAYOUT | Front engine / rear-wheel drive |
| ENGINES | ||
|---|---|---|
| 5.7L V8 (LT1) | 5.7L V8 (LT4) | |
| Type | 90-degree OHV V8 | 90-degree OHV V8 |
| Bore x Stroke | 101.6 x 88.4 mm (4.0 x 3.48") | 99.0 x 93.0 mm (3.90 x 3.66") |
| Displacement | 5735 cc (350 cu.in.) | 5735 cc (350 cu.in.) |
| Compression Ratio | 10.4:1 | 10.8:1 |
| Fuel, Recommended | Premium, Unleaded | Premium, Unleaded |
| Fuel Induction | Sequential F.I. | Sequential F.I. |
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 5000 rpm | 330 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 335 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm | 340 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm |
| TRANSMISSIONS | ||
|---|---|---|
| 6-speed manual | 4-speed electronic w/overdrive automatic w/overdrive | |
| Gear Ratios: | ||
| 1st | 2.66 | 3.06 |
| 2nd | 1.78 | 1.63 |
| 3rd | 1.30 | 1.00 |
| 4th | 1.00 | 0.70 |
| 5th | 0.74 | ---- |
| 6th | 0.50 | ---- |
| Reverse | 2.90 | 2.29 | Final Drive Ratio | 3.45 (LT4) | 2.59 - std. (LT1) 3.07 - opt. (LT1) |
| EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS | COUPE | CONVERTIBLE |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 2444 mm ( 96.2") | 2444 mm ( 96.2") |
| Length | 4535 mm (178.5") | 4535 mm (178.5") |
| Width | 1796 mm ( 70.7") | 1796 mm ( 70.7") |
| Height | 1177 mm ( 46.3") | 1202 mm ( 47.3") |
| Track: Front Rear |
1486 mm ( 57.7") 1500 mm ( 59.1") |
1486 mm ( 57.7") 1500 mm ( 59.1") |
| INTERIOR DIMENSIONS | COUPE | CONVERTIBLE |
|---|---|---|
| Leg Room | 1068 mm (42.0") | 1068 mm (42.0") |
| Head Room | 927 mm (36.5") | 941 mm (37.0") |
| Shoulder Room | 1368 mm (53.9") | 1368 mm (53.9") |
| Hip Room | 1253 mm (49.3") | 1253 mm (49.3") |
| WEIGHTS/CAPACITIES | COUPE | CONVERTIBLE |
|---|---|---|
| Curb Weight | 1496 kg (3298 lbs.) | 1536 kg (3386 lbs.) |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (16.7 gal.) | 76 L (16.7 gal.) |
| Passenger Seating | 2 (front only) | 2 (front only) |
| Trunk Volume | 357 L (12.6 cu.ft.) | 187 L (6.6 cu.ft.) |
| Liftover Height | 899 mm (35.4") | 899 mm (35.4") |
| Interior Volume | 1379 L (48.7 cu.ft.) | 1379 L (48.7 cu.ft.) |